Honestly, if you think “Deputy Sights” is just an advert, then you haven’t seen the dusty road behind me that runs through the tiny Graham Township in the heart of Jefferson County. The place was built in the middle of the 19th century. The century when a few brave settlers colonized the country around the old deputy posts – yes, the name actually comes from a former deputy sheriff who turned his rounds here. Today, deputy is hardly more than a few houses, a small cemetery and the echo of past times, but that's exactly what makes the charm.
I usually travel across State Road 56, which sounds like a narrow river through the shallow Indiana, and when you arrive by train, you get off in Madison and take the bus to Jefferson – from there a short trip to the road, and you are in the middle of the action. What I particularly like is the unpretentious life here: no overcrowded cafes, only an old mixed store that has the same shelves since the 1930s.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but the rest, the occasional mowing of a cow and the feeling that the time here is slower is just fantastic. And yes, if you are looking for “Deputy Sights”, you will find the smile of the locals rather than a shining sign.
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The old tractor, which stands at the edge of the Feldstraße, reminds me every time that not only corn grows here, but also stories that are otherwise found only in guides. If you drive from Deputy to Madison from the 12 miles, the first thing to notice is the imposing Jefferson County Courthouse – a brick building from the 19. The century that reveals more about the peculiarity of the region than any museum. I once tried to shoot a photo there, and was disturbed by an enthusiastic historian who told me that the roof was almost torn off from a tornado; that was a bit annoying, but the anecdote immediately gave character to the place.
A short detour from the highway leads to the Madison Riverwalk, where the Ohio River water is so clear that you can almost see the mirror image of the old brick houses. There is plenty of room to walk, and parking is usually a children's game – except on Sundays when the families with picnic blankets flood the waterfront. I once experienced an improvised street musician duel between a Banjo player and a group of teenagers; that was really great and relaxed the mood.
If you have enough of urban flair, it is worth a trip to the Clifty Falls State Park. The waterfalls there are not only a photo motif, but also a bit like a natural alarm clock – loud, refreshing and unavoidable. The way to the upper cases is a bit steep, so better pack tight shoes; I almost ran there because I was too busy counting the oaks that line the path. The park also offers a small visitor centre where you can get maps for the hiking trails – this is practical if you don't want to walk around the whole day.
A little further north is the Hoosier National Forest, a huge green piece that is perfect for a spontaneous picnic or a long bike tour. I spent a weekend there, because the weather in deputy suddenly turned around and I had no more bock on the constant sum of the grills. The network of gravel roads is well marked, and parking at the main exit point is almost always free as long as you do not come to the high season. A little hint: the phone gets hardly any reception here, so better download the playlist beforehand.
For nature lovers who prefer to watch birds as mountains, the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is a real secret tip. The former Jefferson Proving Ground is now a protected area where you can see beaver, white-headed eagle and even a few shy red foxes. I once observed a wild boar at the ditch that was so concentrated that I almost forgot to turn off my camera. The visitor centre has a few information sheets, and parking is free at the main entrance – a small bonus for those who do not want to leave the car too long.
Back in Madison you can't miss the Lanier Mansion, a magnificent estate from the founding period, which today serves as a museum. The leadership is somewhat formal, but the history of the Lanier family, which once dominated the cotton industry, is fascinating. Once there I found an old letter written by a ancestor to a distant relative – a real find that made the experience even more personal. Parking is usually easy at the back entrance of the property as long as you don't come on Saturday afternoon when the school classes visit the house.
Whether you want to explore the historic streets of Madison, admire the deadly cases of Clifty Falls or turn off in the quiet green of the Hoosier National Forest – the deputy environment offers more than just agricultural idyll. Each of these sites has its own charm, and my slightly cynical but enthusiastic view shows that there is more to discover here than one would suspect at first glance. So the next time you're looking for Deputy Sights should put these places on the list – they're worth walking a little off the beaten path.
I have to admit that my favorite place in deputy is not some hip bar, but that Deputy United Methodist Church – a simple brick building from the 1880s, which is still sung by a choir full of seniors every Sunday. Honestly, the scent of old wood and chalk is almost therapeutic, and if you're lucky, you hear the quiet lurking of the organ that sounds like someone put the volume on “God be thankful”. Parking is usually easy, a small parking lot behind the nave is enough, except on Sundays, when the whole community appears at the same time and you find yourself between stroller and picnic baskets.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Deputy Community Center. This is not some community house, but the heart of all “Deputy Sights”, where every year the village festival, a flea market and occasionally a karaoke evening take place – yes, you have read correctly, karaoke in a room that used to serve as a classroom. I remember the one summer when I hosted an improvised barbecue with a friend there; the only thing missing was a professional DJ, but the neighbors have made up more than that with their old record players.
Right next to the Community Center, Deputy Fire Department. This is not only a place where the red trucks park, but a small museum for those interested in old fire brigades and rusty helmets. I once met a former fireman who told me that the last great fire broke out in 1974 – a campfire that got too wild because someone roasted the Marshmallows too long. Practical: The door is always open, so you can spit in at any time as long as you are not in the middle of an exercise.
If you want to sniff a bit of history, the Deputy Cemetery That's right. The gravestones here tell stories of families that have been rooted in this place for generations. I once discovered an old, slightly sloping stone, on which “John Doe, 1852–1910” stood, and besides a freshly planted flowerbed cultivated by a neighboring family. It is a quiet place, perfect for a short moment of reflection, and parking is practically directly at the edge of the cemetery, where a small, unfinished path leads.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Deputy Grain Elevator. This solid, silver steel scaffold projects over the fields like a silent guard. I visited a photography course there, because the owner – a real farmer with a heart for vintage machines – allowed us to explore the inner structure. The sound of the falling grains is almost hypnotic, and if you are lucky, you will see the sunset that dips the metal into a warm gold. There is no official parking, but a field road leads you close enough to enjoy the whole.
A little further north, but still in the same small triangle, this is Graham Town Hall. This is the office in which the local politicians hold their endless meetings – a place where you could learn more about the management of roads and waste water than you would have ever thought necessary. I visited a meeting there where the relocation of a power line was discussed; that was more exciting than any reality show because the residents suddenly became passionate experts. Parking is a bit tricky, because the grounds only have a small parking space, but this is part of the charm.
Last but not least, I must Deputy School-Do not forget, which today serves as a community space for workshops and small concerts. The high ceilings and the faded panels give the whole a nostalgic flair, and I experienced a guitar workshop where a local musician taught us how to play “Sweet Home Alabama” on an acoustic guitar – in the middle of winter, because the heating system leads to an own life. The parking space is a small, sandy area behind the building; on hot summer days it can become a bit dusty there, but this is the real deputy feeling.
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